All quotes are taken from this article on crosswalk.com.

A new controversy has recently arisen within the Christian community.

End of the Spear, which opened in theaters on Friday, January 20, tells the story of five young Christian missionaries, pilot Nate Saint among them, who were brutally murdered in the jungles of Ecuador 50 years ago by members of the fiercely violent Waodani people.

The film goes on to depict how the martyred pilot's son, Steve Saint, who was five years old when his father and friends were slain, returns to the Waodani as an adult and befriends them, even becoming a good friend to one of those involved in the murder of his father and the other missionaries.

Here's where the controversy come in.

Playing the role of both Saints, father and son, in the film is Chad Allen, an openly homosexual stage and screen star who has spoken publicly on same-sex marriage and other 'gay civil rights' issues. In an interview with In L.A. magazine, the actor noted that he has a Catholic Christian background but now embraces a spirituality that encompasses Buddhist, Hindu, and Native American influences as well.

The choice of Allen to play the part of the Saints has been met with strong reactions ranging from surprise to outrage among evangelical Christians.

In the midst of the controversy, support for Allen has emerged from what may seem to many to be a surprising source. Steve Saint, who acted as a producer, played a bit part, and served as a stunt pilot for the production that dramatizes his father's Christian life and martyr's death, says he feels it was God's plan for the homosexual actor to be in the film.

Although he realized many Christians might be offended by Allen's role in the film, the Christian co-producer says, "I thought, 'What happens if I stand before God someday and He says to me, "Steve, I went out of my way to orchestrate an opportunity for Chad Allen to see what it would be like to live as your father did.' And then I could picture Him looking at me and saying, 'Steve, why did you mess with my plan?'"

Was it a mistake for the producers to cast Allen for this role? I really don't know, but I am excited to see this film!

What do you think about this whole situation? Should Allen have been given the part? Are you planning to see this movie? Use the comment feature below to tell us your views.

Submitted by JayRay from California.
Posted by VictorM. Nikki is busy with school work.

Originally posted here (format changed):

• They are vehemently against abortion,
• they resist progressive woman's rights.
• They view homosexuality as a crime against nature and God, some advocate the death penalty as an option for it.
• Separation of Church and State is despised by these folks; they insist the nation is founded on the principles of their religion, and they work hard to bring that de facto theocracy about.
• They deplore strong language, gay characters, and sexual content on TV and in the media.
• And they ignore the Geneva Convention when it suits their ideological purposes, including provisions against torture or due process.
• They're anti-stem cell research, pro-creationism, and generally distrustful of science.
• These folks are easily whipped into a state of frenzy with ideological manipulation to the point where they will commit violence, or at least tacitly endorse that violence is acceptable, if it advances their Divine agenda.
• They then take great pains to justify that violence, including unprovoked attack of civilian areas, under certain conditions, with convoluted theological gymnastics.
• They are almost to the man pro-death penalty ...

Now, a question for you. Who is the author talking about? The Religious Right (Roberston, Dobson, Falwell, et al.) or Osama bin Laden's Al Queada? Do you agree with the statement that "The religous right is Al Queada light"?

All quotes have been taken from this New York Times article, published January 15, 2006.

A new trend that appeared several decades ago seems to be gaining strength once again. This so-called "prosperity gospel" seems to bring wealth to those who are preaching it.

It is a theology that is excoriated in many Christian circles but is becoming increasingly visible in this country, according to religious scholars. Now, it is beginning to establish a foothold in New York City, where capitalism has long been religion.

"Remember," said Mr. Dollar, a familiar figure across the country because of his "Changing Your World" television show and best-selling books, "if you sow a seed on a good ground, you can expect a harvest."

Mr. Dollar, whose Rolls-Royces, private jets, million-dollar Atlanta home and $2.5 million Manhattan apartment, furnish proof to his followers of the validity of his teachings, is a leading apostle of what is known as the "prosperity gospel."

Mr. Dollar - his real name - is the most prominent among a host of prosperity preachers that have put down roots in the city. He is quick to insist that he warns Christians to "love God, not money" and teaches "total life prosperity," meaning prosperity not only in finances but in everything from health to family life.

Asking the faithful to donate is a part of virtually all religions. Outside of Christianity, Muslims pay zakat, and Jewish synagogues have membership dues. Conservative Protestants see tithing - offering a portion, usually a tenth, of one's income back to God and the church - as a biblical mandate.

It is the connecting of religious faithfulness, especially in giving, to material riches that causes many Christians, including other evangelicals, to accuse prosperity teachers of verging on heresy.

The theology taps into the country's self-help culture, said William C. Martin, a professor emeritus of religion and public policy at Rice University in Houston. "One of the goals of America is for you to become prosperous," he said. "For the church to put a blessing on that and say, 'God wants you to be rich,' is quite appealing."

While prosperity preachers were largely discredited in this country in the late 1980's with the rash of scandals involving religious broadcasters, the booming television ministries of a coterie of new prosperity kings, including Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn and Mr. Dollar, demonstrates its staying power.

Mr. Dollar and other prosperity preachers say they take their message straight from the Bible, noting that figures like Solomon and David were wealthy. But many evangelical theologians contend that prosperity preachers are quoting selectively.

Prosperity is indeed prominent in the Old Testament, but the hardship experienced by Jesus' followers is prominent in the New Testament, said Professor John Jefferson Davis Jr., who teaches systematic theology and Christian ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, an evangelical institution outside Boston. "Part of the problem is things are out of focus here, and what Jesus makes very clear and central, self-denial and bearing your cross, is somehow left on the cutting-room floor."

Wall Watchers, an evangelical organization that monitors the finances of Christian ministries, gave Mr. Dollar's organization an "F" grade for financial transparency in its yearly report and urged donors not to give to it and similar groups. World Changers officials say members can inspect audited financial statements on the church's finances if they desire, but they declined to release them to The New York Times.

What do you think about this "prosperity gospel"? Is there something to it, or are these churched just another way for the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer? Use the comment feature below to express your views on this controversial topic.

Well, I'm back from my trip that kept me away from ARGville for more than a week. I have a lot of catching up to do on the forum, but before I do that I thought I would share a little bit of what I saw while in Louisiana.

I went to Bogalusa, Louisiana with a group of 26 other college students to help clean up after the destruction caused by the hurricanes. Our group helped to re-roof 2 houses and take out fallen trees on 2 properties. While there, I noticed something that seemed to be worth noting. A great number of people whose houses were damaged by the hurricanes have begun to seek out religion.

Our group stayed at a local church in the area, as we ourselves were a Christian group. We were told by the pastor of the church that prior to the hurricanes, this community was very hostile to religion and the places of worship that did exist were very unwilling to work with each other for any reason.

In the aftermath of the storms however, this has started to change. People in this community have been much more open to receiving help from the religious institutions. These religious institutions have also begun to work together to better the community.

As I interacted with people in the community, one thing I asked them was if there was anything I could do for them. The most overwhelming response I received was requests for prayer. People are trying to put their lives back together and they are seeking the help of some divine power to do so. This to me seems to be a sign that these people are seeking religion in response to this disaster.

As a side note, if you or a group you are a part of would like to help out with the rebuilding efforts, there is still a ton of work to be done. Smaller communities such as Bogalusa have not received the amount of government aid that New Orleans has. If you are interested in going to Bogalusa to help, I can give you the information of the organization that I worked with. Although it is a Christian organization, they welcome non-Christian groups as well. Please send me an email if you want more information on how you can help! argNikki@hotmail.com

Rap is a genre that is known for being violent, misogynistic, and crude. Many would argue that something with this type of reputation has no business in today's Christian churches. Some even say that rap music is Satanic and evil. But a New York church is trying to change that image, and even get hip hop and rap music inside church doors!

While some may think that this is an attempt to degrade the church, the real goal of The Hip Hop Church in Harlem, New York is to reach a group that is generally outcasted by the church.

In this article, ABC outlines what this church is all about and how much of a trend this is becoming:

Hip-Hop Church has been electrifying Greater Hood on Thursday nights for the past year. Pogue was a fan of Blow some years back, when the musician helped rap emerge on the national scene.

Since then, however, Pogue has become dismayed by what he sees as industry moguls pushing artists into ever-edgier realms. Indeed, rap is often known for glorifying violence and using misogynistic lyrics. Yet now, Pogue's church is offering a cleaner version of rap, even putting it in a spiritual dimension.

"I understand that there's a lot of negative in hip-hop today," Pogue said. "But Hip-Hop Church highlights the positive sides of hip-hop, what hip-hop can do."

This marriage between rap and a Harlem church on 146th Street is one of many efforts to improve the genre's image. In recent years, several innovative organizations, including the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, have formed, both to help rap's image and offer community programs. The 2004 elections even prompted a National Hip-Hop Political Convention in Newark, N.J.

But Greater Hood, more than just interested in changing hip-hop's reputation, has discovered a unique means of reaching a new generation of congregants. And what's happening at Greater Hood is part of a slowly developing national phenomenon.

The Lawndale Community Church in Chicago, for instance, offers its own weekly rap-inspired service called "Tha House" — and one of its pastors, Phil Jackson, has co-written a book entitled "The Hip-Hop Church," due out at the end of this month.

The music has also emanated from Christian churches in cities not typically known for hip-hop, such as Tampa, Fla. Even Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minn., a congregation evenly divided between whites and blacks, has a weekly hip-hop service led by Christian rapper David Scherer, aka Agape.

So, do you think that using this type of music is an appropriate method for Christian to use to attract young people, or is it possible that this is some kind of broach on a culture purposefully focused on violence and the degradation of women? Is it possible that Christians are overstepping their boundaries and trying to lure teenagers through their doors? Or is this type of evangelism harmless and even applaudable? You decide!

Use the comments section to post your thoughts on hip hop in the Christian church. Is it multi-cultural or anti-cultural? Tell us your thoughts!

Tara's comment: Nikki will be returning from her trip tomorrow and should resume her regular updates in the near future. But until then, feel free to comment below or using the submit form at the top left of this page. Thanks!

I came across an article in a British publication today that really startled me. Like many religious groups, Muslims look down upon homosexuality. However, it seems that their disdain for this lifestyle is more extreme than one would ever have thought.

According to this article at TimesOnline.co.uk, gay Muslims are frequently forced into arranged marriages in order to "turn them straight." There are many accounts of distraught Muslims trying to get out of this situation, but often their only way out is through people they meet on the internet. Otherwise, these Muslims are being prevented from expressing their true sexuality.

Two of their stories are here:

“Zac”, 24, from Lancashire, has been prevented from living as a gay man. He told The Times how his parents had forced him into an arranged marriage with his Pakistani cousin in the hope that it would “make me straight”. His wife is now pregnant with his son. He is trapped at home, consumed with frustration and resentful of his parents.

“Raz”, 21, is a second-year politics student at the University of Birmingham. Like Zac he describes himself as a good Muslim who goes to the mosque regularly. “I think there’s a lack of understanding among people like Sacranie. They think homosexuality is a choice but if it was, why would I choose to make my life so much more complicated?”

“At the end of the day it comes down to whether you want to lead the gay life or the 2.4 children life. If I was going to get married I wouldn’t consider telling my parents about my sexuality at all because no good would come of it and it would really upset them.”

This is a sad reality for the homosexual Muslims of the world. They are a larger population than many would at first think, but they should not be ignored.

So, what should be done about this castrophic situation? Is there any way that we can help or do you feel like this is just "someone else's problem"? Let us know!

Use the comments section to give feedback about this topic!

Tara's comment: Nikki is still out of town, working down in Louisiana to help hurricane victims, but please continue to submit your articles and ideas that you would like discussed on Religion Today. She will return shortly to continue with the regular updates.

Submitted by John Q, 37, from Arkansas:

Full article here

A member of the Abundant Life Christian Center in Texas rang in the New Year not with a glass of champagne — but a new home. In a controversial game-show-style giveaway, the church awarded a $120,000 three-bedroom house to Tammy Woods.

Woods, a mother of two girls ages 12 and 16, lives with her children and husband Larry in a mobile home. Before they won the new home, the Woodses were in the process of buying a new home. Now, they say they will move into the home they won in about two to three weeks.

Contestants could only win the house by being present at the church's New Year's Eve services. Since 2003, the church has given away a car, a motorcycle and furniture, and the New Year's services usually draw about 2,000 people.

"You can go to the house of the Lord and have a good time also," said Pastor Walter Hallam. "This is a real special service. This is a unique thing."... Some critics argue that using incentives to get people to church takes away from the religious experience of going to church. But Hallam takes great pride in his giveaways.

The article doesn't say where the money for the gifts came from. It appears that they got construction costs at a discount, but I guess the money comes from the congregation. I doubt any of them mind because if the Pastor says it's a good idea, it's a good idea.

But to me, this is yet another example that supports what I have been saying for a while and most of my friends disagree with, -- that religion is on it's way down in the USA. If you look at public polls, and compare numbers from the 40's to now, the number of people who are religious keeps dropping.

The virulent anti-abortion movement, the vicious and shameful anti-gays sentiment, and a fanatical grasp for power by some of the most activist religious leader point to one thing: theirs is a desperate attempt to hold on to power.

The promise of paradise or punishment to hell is no longer enough to keep the faithful. Gimmicks are the next thing. And we've only just begun. But like labor unions, who at one time controlled the politics in this country and with it gave us liberal dominance, so will the power of religion dwindle, and with it, the power of the most corrupt group of religious leaders in generations.

VictorM's comment: Nikki is away until January 9. I posted this submission in her absence. Please post feedback using the "comments" link below this post or use the Submit Form.